Väikesatelliidid

Väikesatelliidid, often referred to as small satellites or microsatellites, are artificial satellites that weigh between 10 and 500 kilograms. This category encompasses a range of sizes, including nanosatellites (1-10 kg) and picosatellites (0.1-1 kg), though the term "väikesatelliidid" broadly covers these smaller classes as well. Their development has been significantly driven by advancements in miniaturization of electronics and more affordable launch options.

The primary advantages of väikesatelliidid include lower development and manufacturing costs compared to traditional, larger satellites. This makes space exploration and satellite-based services more accessible to smaller organizations, universities, and even individual companies. Their smaller size also allows for quicker design and deployment cycles.

Väikesatelliidid are utilized for a diverse array of applications. These include Earth observation, scientific research, telecommunications, remote sensing, technology demonstration, and educational projects. Many constellations of small satellites are being deployed to provide global internet coverage or high-resolution imaging services. The reduced cost and increased availability of väikesatelliidid are transforming the space industry, fostering innovation and expanding access to space-based capabilities.